McCann arrests not 'major breakthrough,' expert says

Guest Tue 14 Jan - 12:53

LONDON — The expected arrests of key suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann that British media are calling imminent are being "overplayed," a former police detective with extensive experience of high-profile investigations has told USA TODAY.

"This isn't a major breakthrough. This is a significant piece of information about three individuals who need to be eliminated (from police investigations)," Mark Williams Thomas, who has won awards for his investigative reporting, said Tuesday.

"Burglars don't abduct children," Thomas said. "Child abusers abduct, pedophiles abduct, but if you are in an area burglarizing a house looking for items you are not looking to take a child. In terms of who these individuals are, they are likely to be questioned about what they may have seen as witnesses," he said.

"I doubt very much they will be viewed as suspects," Thomas said. "To call them 'suspects' at this point is overplaying it by far."

Late Monday, several media outlets in the United Kingdom, including the Guardian and Daily Mirror, citing an unidentified spokesman for Kate and Gerry McCann — Madeleine's parents — reported that police in Portugal were ready to arrest and interview "key suspects" connected to alleged robberies in the area where the then 3-year-old Madeleine was taken in the case that has captivated global attention for years.

British investigators, who last year re-launched their own investigation into Madeleine's 2007 disappearance from a resort in Portugal, confirmed Monday they sent a letter of request to Portuguese authorities but would not elaborate on its contents.

Separately, the McCann's spokesman, speaking to the Guardian, said the latest developments were significant. "It means they have the intention of arresting and interviewing X, Y or Z. We don't know who they have their sights on but it's likely it is the burglars," the spokesman told the British news site.

Two of the burglaries took place in April 2007 in the apartment block where the McCann family was staying, ABC reported from London. In both of the April burglaries, entry was gained via a window. One theory is that Madeleine was also abducted after access to the family's vacation rental was gained through a window, but she did not vanish before May.

REPORTS: Arrests ahead in Madeleine McCann disappearance

However, Thomas, who as a police officer specialized in child protection cases, said Tuesday, "These individuals may have information but as far as a breakthrough? No." More importantly, he said, they need to be ruled out.

"What happens now is very much down to what the authorities in Portugal decide to do next," Thomas said.

Contributing: USA TODAY's William M. Welch.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/14/madeleine-mccann-arrests-imminent/4470017/

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 13:06

Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

**widowan** Tue 14 Jan - 13:39

USA today doesn't seem to be as worried about being SUED as the UK press - good. All this is a tempest in a tea pot and it is the McCann's spokesperson clearly trying to be involved and spin things. Which is why he was hired and what he's always done, to the detriment of the case.

frencheuropean Tue 14 Jan - 14:12

Wasn't Mark Williams Thomas convinced of the MCann's innocence? More cautious apparentloy now.

**kitti** Tue 14 Jan - 14:17

MWT said when he was in pdl straight after she went missing, Madeleine had wandered out off the apt and was abducted by an opportunist

**LJC** Tue 14 Jan - 14:25

Well, I hope these three 'suspects' are found and questioned. It would be very interesting to know if they were "hiding in the apartment" when Gerry was looking lovingly at his sleeping daughter and having his extended visit to the toilet. It would be interesting to know how they managed to leave the bed so tidy and not leave fingerprints. They might tell us how they came and went and why they left the window open and the curtains blowing in the wind. They might tell us how they broke the shutters. They might even reveal to the world just how long Madeleine and her siblings were left for. They might, for instance, reveal how Matt did not enter the apartment and how they were left in there to do their work in peace.

Yes, I really, really hope they are found and questioned.

**widowan** Tue 14 Jan - 14:37

Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I think this is plan B. Pat Brown seems to think that blaming the PJ for failing to cooperate with them will work.

It's so ironic given that the parents and their friends refused to reconstruct, cooperate, take LDT, answer questions, or even post the efit of the main suspect because he looked unhelpfully like Gerry.

Her latest blog from Bollux Media is good.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 14:39

For starters, would the 3 of them go into the Apartment, it is hardly a mansion house. Secondly , how come their prints were not in every nook and cranny searching for money or jewellery . Maybe one stayed behind as lookout . Didn't Gerry say he felt someone was behind the bedroom door, kate noticing on her trip that the Door was open wider than she left it, forgetting Gerry checked in between.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 14:47

widowan wrote:
Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I think this is plan B. Pat Brown seems to think that blaming the PJ for failing to cooperate with them will work.

It's so ironic given that the parents and their friends refused to reconstruct, cooperate, take LDT, answer questions, or even post the efit of the main suspect because he looked unhelpfully like Gerry.

Her latest blog from Bollux Media is good.

There you are widowan...great minds think alike. McCann arrests not 'major breakthrough,' expert says 25346

Can you post the link for us?

think the Portugese were in awe of the McCanns and their entourage of Ambassador, PR Gurus, Daily Press , Lawyers, British Police, Prime Minister, have I missed anyone out.? I don't think any other case could command such attention.

jassi Tue 14 Jan - 14:57

Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I don't see why the Portuguese should refuse. They won't arrest them, of course, but they can question them on behalf of SY.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 15:29

jassi wrote:
Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I don't see why the Portuguese should refuse. They won't arrest them, of course, but they can question them on behalf of SY.

If Portugal tries to Contact say Spain because SY have said where these Burglars are, they have to have sound evidence . It may be of course that SY have worked with the British Embassy to establish these three are there before approaching Portugal, but with all this publicity don't you think they have done a runner if they are guilty.?

jassi Tue 14 Jan - 15:46

If they've hopped over the border, then SY should be contacting the Spanish authorities.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 16:02

jassi wrote:If they've hopped over the border, then SY should be contacting the Spanish authorities.

These "burglers" are apparently Portugese which is why SY had to ask Portugal since the crimes took place in Portugal.

SY are only looking after the McCanns . Jassi, I feel very sorry for the Portugese , they have spent well over E million on this investigation , now Legal expenses concerning the McCann/ Amaral trial, , not forgetting paying 4 Detectives in Oporto for the last 2 years , the endless publicity and all this because two Doctors from another Country couldn't look after their offspring.!!!

jejune Tue 14 Jan - 16:25

It's obvious that people mentioned in the files would be questioned. To place any real significance on that is wrong.

mossman Tue 14 Jan - 16:50

Seriously. Three burglars in PDL in 2007. Police want to talk to them. Why are they not in prison for the crimes they committed ? The whole world knows they are burglars, yet SY are going to make a very special visit to talk to them.

Why does it take three grown men to walk into an unlocked small apartment to thieve ? The only valuable would be money and perhaps jewellery. Nobody goes on holiday with their Picasso collection to hang on the walls.

While in Portugal, SY should speak to the bogus charity workers too. Save them and us the bother of the same stories being re-hashed next year with charity workers taking the burglars place.

jinvta Tue 14 Jan - 17:15

widowan wrote:
Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I think this is plan B. Pat Brown seems to think that blaming the PJ for failing to cooperate with them will work.

It's so ironic given that the parents and their friends refused to reconstruct, cooperate, take LDT, answer questions, or even post the efit of the main suspect because he looked unhelpfully like Gerry.

Her latest blog from Bollux Media is good.

Also, what incentive does the PJ have to cooperate with Scotland Yard given all the political interference from the beginning including the refusal to provide Madeleine's medical records and the McCanns financial records? I don't see any reason why should Portugal cooperate.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 17:20

mossman wrote:Seriously. Three burglars in PDL in 2007. Police want to talk to them. Why are they not in prison for the crimes they committed ? The whole world knows they are burglars, yet SY are going to make a very special visit to talk to them.

Why does it take three grown men to walk into an unlocked small apartment to thieve ? The only valuable would be money and perhaps jewellery. Nobody goes on holiday with their Picasso collection to hang on the walls.

While in Portugal, SY should speak to the bogus charity workers too. Save them and us the bother of the same stories being re-hashed next year with charity workers taking the burglars place.

What about the Cleaners mossman .....in fact you have to wonder what SY have been doing for nearly 3 yrs with 37 Detectives and 4 Clerical Staff. They didn't have to investigate, it was all done for them, Stuart Prior and his team would have made notes., as would Metodo. If the Portugese had insisted on a recon this case would have been over a long time ago.

**Panda** Tue 14 Jan - 17:26

jinvta wrote:
widowan wrote:
Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I think this is plan B. Pat Brown seems to think that blaming the PJ for failing to cooperate with them will work.

It's so ironic given that the parents and their friends refused to reconstruct, cooperate, take LDT, answer questions, or even post the efit of the main suspect because he looked unhelpfully like Gerry.

Her latest blog from Bollux Media is good.

Also, what incentive does the PJ have to cooperate with Scotland Yard given all the political interference from the beginning including the refusal to provide Madeleine's medical records and the McCanns financial records? I don't see any reason why should Portugal cooperate.

Nor me , the Crimestoppers programme turned up nothing and it was OPORTO who found sufficient reason to open the case , not SY. If Portugal refuses, sensible people will think it is the right decision but the McCanns and Clarence will make the most of it you can bet .

**Claudia79** Tue 14 Jan - 18:27

Panda wrote:
jassi wrote:If they've hopped over the border, then SY should be contacting the Spanish authorities.

These "burglers" are apparently Portugese which is why SY had to ask Portugal since the crimes took place in Portugal.

SY are only looking after the McCanns . Jassi, I feel very sorry for the Portugese , they have spent well over E million on this investigation , now Legal expenses concerning the McCann/ Amaral trial, , not forgetting paying 4 Detectives in Oporto for the last 2 years , the endless publicity and all this because two Doctors from another Country couldn't look after their offspring.!!!

The four PJ officers would have to be paid anyway. They weren't hired to investigate the case. If they weren't investigating it they would be investigation other cases. As for the libel trial expenses, they will be paid by the losing party.

**widowan** Tue 14 Jan - 18:38

jinvta wrote:
widowan wrote:
Panda wrote:Maybe SY are doing this so that if Portugal says no , SY can give up on the investigation and blame Portugal.

I think this is plan B. Pat Brown seems to think that blaming the PJ for failing to cooperate with them will work.

It's so ironic given that the parents and their friends refused to reconstruct, cooperate, take LDT, answer questions, or even post the efit of the main suspect because he looked unhelpfully like Gerry.

Her latest blog from Bollux Media is good.

Also, what incentive does the PJ have to cooperate with Scotland Yard given all the political interference from the beginning including the refusal to provide Madeleine's medical records and the McCanns financial records? I don't see any reason why should Portugal cooperate.

It's not my notion of cooperation.

Look, we'll review your disgraceful investigation, beginning with declaring the suspects to be not suspects and not even Persons of Interest. We'll wave off their dodgy and wasteful and shameful performance before during and after, and just focus on how YOU have let the sainted pair down. And then from on high we will dictate whom we want you to chase and find and bring in for questions, but yes - don't expect us to share the same phone records (never mind the ones of the T9 and the medical records etc) because our cleared & wholly innocent not-at-all-suspects are off limits, in fact while they sue one of your former officers for LIBEL we will not have the liaison officer agree to testify, but you will have to jump through hoops to get even that. Just like when you tried to interrogate our citizens when they had returned to the UK we will make this as difficult for you as possible.

it's BS, and the "burglars" could also do a bit of dodging from one country to the next just to keep things muddled up and expensive and new areas of international law being invented or exploited just for them. Then on to the next of the 38 POIs or whatever. it's nonsense and all the responsibility but evidently little authority is with the PJ, while SY calls the shots? I think not. I would not sign up for that kind of "joint" investigation.

If I am cooperating, it is with open books on both sides and before I (if I am Portugal) start spending MY tax payers dollars and putting my own politicians careers at risk, and start putting badly needed PJ resources back onto this circus, I am going to want the damned reconstruction - a new questioning of the COOPERATIVE main witnesses ie T9 - and an understanding including how we look - as a joint investigation - upon the evidence we DO have, including the fact that the witnesses put the alert at 935 not ten, that the checks were in all likelihood not done as described and that Gerry McCann was physically able to be the Smith sighting - let's clear the ground under our feet.

Let's understand why we're so willing to wave away critical clues like the forensic dog alerts, the dna match etc. if you've got evidence that clears our suspects we'd love to have it, not to stand by to do the bidding of what looks like either a corrupt or an incompetent review by SY. If they have evidence let them produce it. I don't see how they could have, they are taking the word of the T9 witnesses, even though they've been seen to be less than cooperative and less than truthful.

**widowan** Tue 14 Jan - 18:49

Of course I think my above statement is a little harsh in that it mixes in what the attorneys for McCanns did, what the law permits in Portugal and the UK - not all of this is the current SY investigation trying to make life difficult for the PJ - but to have a "source close to the investigation" which turns out to be Clarence Mitchell, feeding the press info and spinning it, is not on.

I would love to know what "interviews" with the T9 were made by SY if any. I do not believe they could see the PJ reports that I have seen - never mind what all is in the complete reports - and still think well, these parents and pals were all alibiing each other and nice people would never do this so let's just allow for their fudging of the truth - they were scared they'd be arrested for neglect! it's certainly understandable that they would lie, and spin things as they wish, including maintaining Tannerman on their web site and in the bewk as the abductor, and NOT the Smith sighting.

It wasn't Sy that forced PJ to have the rogatory process and I doubt they dictate if their former liaison can testify, but as to what evidence they have that allow them to state publicly that McCanns are NOT POIs, (hence the PJ investigation was botched and chasing a red herring all along) is surely something that should be expected for the sake of goodwill.

They should also be muzzling that yapping hound Clarrie from feeding the papers stories (if he is and I think that's obvious) that "British detectives" think the PJ investigation was disgraceful. SY NEEDS the help of the PJ and this sort of thing does not help, and it's gratuitous - it has no purpose whatever other than to cast discredit on the investigation done in Portugal.

In 3 years if SY is no closer to finding anything than the PJ was in 4 months (less, in fact, since at least the PJ had ruled out the Tanner sighting and knew at least they needed more info from the primary players in this) then they are not in a position to point fingers. They have new and improved abilities and access to records that the PJ did not have -

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